US4472512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treatment of materials
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
•
Filing: 1981-08-31
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2001-08-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to the treatment of gel materials to remove water therefrom. The invention provides a process for removing water from a gel material by contacting the gel material with a gaseous mixture of an organic compound and a gas. The organic compound, the gas and conditions of contacting are selected such that water is extracted from the gel material and passes into the gaseous mixture. The invention in one embodiment may be used to dry gel materials while maintaining an open porous network therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward S. Lane
- 👤 John A. Winter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:06
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D12/00; B01J; B01J13/00; B01J13/0052; B01J13/0069; B01J2/00; B01J2/02; B01J2/06; B01J2/08; F; F26; F26B; F26B21/00; F26B21/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A process for removing water from a gel material comprising contacting the gel material with a preformed gaseous mixture comprising a gas and an organic compound in the form of a vapor derived from an organic liquid, the gas, the organic liquid and conditions of contacting being selected such that water is removed from the gel material and passes into the gaseous mixture while an open porous network is maintained in the gel material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for removing water from a gel material comprising contacting the gel material with a preformed gaseous mixture comprising a gas and an organic compound in the form of a vapor derived from an organic liquid, the gas, the organic liquid and conditions of contacting being selected such that water is removed from the gel material and passes into the gaseous mixture while an open porous network is maintained in the gel material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the organic compound in the gaseous mixture is such that organic compound is taken up by the gel material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 for removing water from a gel material having an open porous network which comprises contacting the gel material with a gaseous mixture comprising an organic compound and a gas, wherein the organic compound, the gas and conditions of contacting are selected such that water is removed from the gel material and passes into the gaseous mixture, and wherein the organic compound is such that it permeates the gel material so as to maintain an open porous network as water is extracted and such that an open porous network remains after removal of organic compound from the gel material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gel material comprises a plurality of particles of gel material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the gaseous mixture is formed by passing a gas through or over said organic liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gas is substantially saturated with vapour derived from said organic liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mixture consists essentially of a gas selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, argon or carbon dioxide and said vapor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the contacting of the gel material with the gaseous mixture is achieved by passing the gaseous mixture over the gel material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the contacting of the gel material with the gaseous mixture is achieved by passing the gaseous mixture over or through a bed of gel bodies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the organic compound has a solubility in water of <5%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein the organic compound has a solubility in water of ≦1%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the organic compound has a boiling point substantially above that of water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the organic compound is in the form of vapour of an organic liquid selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols or related homologues, amyl alcohol and amines.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the organic compound is in the form of vapour of an organic liquid selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gel material is conditioned with water prior to the removing of water from the gel material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gel material has been produced by a gel precipitation process, a sol-gel process or an internal gelation process.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 including the further step of producing a ceramic product by heating gel material from which water has been removed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |